The first round of the National Hockey League (NHL) selection session will be held on Friday, late afternoon in Las Vegas. The event will begin at 4 p.m. local time, 7 p.m. Quebec time.
The QMJHL has two prospects listed in the first round: Spencer Gill, from the Océanic, as well as Rimouski Maxim Massé, forward for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
The latter flew to Nevada today (Wednesday). Nothing, however, to shake up his daily routine. At least, when meeting the Journal Le Soir a few days before leaving Rimouski.
“I continue to live my normal life. I’m training, playing hockey and golf as I have for the past two summers. It allows me to relax with my friends. Probably when you get on the plane, the stress will start to build a little,” he says.
He won’t be alone, we suspect that.
“There will be between 40 and 50 people who will be at the draft, starting with my family. As much on my mother’s side as my father’s, my grandparents, friends, the Saguenéens coaches, some teammates too. »
Maxim Massé with his younger brother Alex, drafted by the Océanic, in the 11th round, in Moncton, a few weeks ago. (Photo Journal Le Soir – René Alary)
At the end of the first round?
It will be interesting to monitor his selection rank.
Ranked as a potential first round pick on several prospect lists since last year, he has slipped somewhat (30th on the Central Recruiting list) so that he may have to wait until the start of the second round , Saturday morning. Gill is 29th on the same list.
Spencer Gill and Maxim Massé with the Canadian under-18 team. (Photo: Hockey Canada)
Massé’s last season was very busy with two international events in particular, the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament in August and the under-18 world juniors in April which resulted in two gold medal victories.
In addition to his season with the Saguenéens, a week at the NHL Combine, not forgetting, studies at CEGEP, interviews in person or by zoom with NHL team leaders.
“At the Combine, I met with 29 out of 32 teams and with the interviews during the season, I talked to every team. I can’t say what will happen. They try to hide their game. We hardly talk about hockey in these meetings. They saw me play on the ice. They want to know you as an individual, our family, our environment, and also how mentally strong we can be,” says Massé.
Time flies
Two years ago, he was the third selection in the QMJHL. “In a few days, it will be my NHL draft. It goes by quickly, it’s hard to achieve. »
His qualities as a scorer and playmaker are unanimous among professional recruiters. In the short term, he mentions working mainly on improving his skating.
“I took tests for my skating and analyzes of the results were done in Quebec. I know what to work on on the ice with Patrick Caron and also in the gym. »
To see his statistics in the QMJHL: click here
The Sags at the Memorial Cup?
In September, Massé will focus on his third campaign with the young and talented Saguenéens whose current performance cycle takes us to the 25-26 season when he will be 19 years old.
But, could Yannick Jean be tempted to take advantage of the fact that the 2025 Memorial Cup tournament will be held in Rimouski?
Rimouski striker Maxim Massé, of the Saguenéens de Chicoutimi (Photo courtesy Saguenéens de Chicoutimi)
“We’re going to aim to be there. Yannick has made some great acquisitions in the last few weeks and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I would like us to go for it, but it doesn’t just depend on Yannick. It will depend on our performance on the ice. Our goal will be to get as far as possible and we are aware that the Cup will be played in Quebec. For me, it’s more motivation to see that it’s going to happen at home. »
In the meantime, great things will happen for him and his family in Las Vegas, whether Friday evening or Saturday morning.
2024-06-26 23:02:49
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